In most cases, the land area of an atoll is very small in comparison to the total area. Lifou (land area 1146 km²) is the largest raised coral atoll of the world. Lif…ou is a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is situataed about 190 klms east of the New Caledonian mainland. It is the largest of the Loyalty Islands and is also the most heavily populated. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section indicated below.

an atoll is formed first as a reef that fringes a volcanic island. As the island sinks(after the volcanic activity has ceased and the crust has cooled, becoming denser), …the reef continues to build upward, eventually ending up as a ring-shaped structure

According to the Food Lover's Companion, atole (which is pronounced ah-TOH-leh) is "a very thick beverage that's popular in Mexico http://www.answers.com/topic/mexico-country-…north-americaMexicoand some parts of the American Southwest." For more information on atole at Answers.com, see the Related Link.

An atoll is formed first as a reef that fringes a volcanic island. As the island sinks (after the volcanic activity has ceased and the crust has cooled, becoming denser), th…e reef continues to build upward, eventually ending up as a ring-shaped structure.